The Philosophical Encounter Circle

The aim of the Philosophical Encounter Circle is to provide a forum where philosophers, young and old, from Asia and the rest of the world, meet as equals to discuss philosophical topics of current interest.

Taking as its model some of the great philosophical circles of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Circle meets over a 2 to 3 day period on a general theme. (Prior themes have included Philosophy, Methodology, and Our World and Philosophy, Your World, and You.

There are usually 15 to 20 participants, each of whom presents a paper for discussion by the group as a whole. The atmosphere is relaxed, but serious, and the format allows for rigorous but collegial discussion both during the sessions and in the evenings.

The Circle is open to philosophers from all intellectual and philosophical traditions. It generally meets once a year, in Asia. In 2001, the Circle met in Hong Kong (21-24 August); in 2002, the Circle met in Taiwan (15-17 August). In 2004, the Circle will meet in Taiwan on 12-13 June on the theme Philosophers and Cultural Crisis-Tradition and Renewal.